Abstract: A method of, and system for, selectively reordering the reprinting of books on one or more electronic presses are disclosed. In one embodiment, sensors and a processor are utilized to reorder books fouled by an auxiliary device. In another embodiment, a sensor, and a global processor in communication with first and second local processors respectively associated with first and second printing presses are utilized to reorder books on one of the first and second printing presses selected to minimize processing time and/or to maximize postal rate discounts. In another embodiment, a sensor and a press processor are utilized to reorder errored books by inserting a book back into a stream of books being printed if re-printing the book with the stream entitles the errored book to a predefined postal discount.

Abstract: An improved technique for establishing the position, dimensions and orientation of a vessel which is essentially free of internal acoustic discontinuities involves scanning the vessel with a beam of ultrasonic energy and, from the ultrasonic echoes received in the A-mode lines of sight of the ultrasonic beam, establishing a B-mode image of the vessel. An angle marker, in the form of a short line segment, is established, using the B-mode image, on or near a straight axis of the vessel. The length of the angle marker is divided into a number of sub-sectors, each of which receives approximately the same number of A-mode lines of sight of the ultrasonic beam. An average A-mode signal is obtained for each sub-sector. Comparison of the average A-mode signals provides information about the orientation of the angle marker relative to the axis of the vessel.

Abstract: Steering and focusing acoustic beams in ultrasonic echoscopy, and in other acoustic techniques, can be effected using linear arrays of acoustic transducers. The focusing and steering can be improved by using linked delay lines connected to the transducers when the transducers operate in a receive mode, with delay values which are both linear and quadratic values of the distance of the respective transducer from the center of the array.